Agenda and minutes

(Assistant to the Chief Executive) To declare interests in any item on this agenda.

There were no declarations of interest made pursuant to the Council’s Code of Member Conduct.

The Sub-Committee noted the agreed procedure for the Conduct of Business and the Terms of Reference.

(Director of Corporate Support Services) To consider the attached report.

The Chairman welcomed the participants and introduced the Members and Officers present and requested that the participants introduce themselves to the Sub-Committee. In attendance was Rachael Loukes, the General Manager for Theatre Resources and David Graves, an objector.

The Chairman outlined the procedure that would be followed for the determination of the application.

(a)        The Application before the Sub-Committee

The Legal Officer informed the Sub-Committee that an application had been received from Theatre Resources for a variation to the premises licence for their premises at Great Stony, High Street, Ongar; requesting a variation to:

• remove the current condition of non-sale of alcohol;
• add the sale of alcohol Monday to Sunday 12.00 to 23.00;
• add recorded music Monday to Saturday 10.00 to 24.00 and Sunday 18.00 to 24.00;
• amend the times of other licensable activities as follows:
  • plays Monday to Friday 17.00 to 24.00, Saturday14.00 to 24.00 and Sunday18.00 to 24.00;
  • Films Monday to Sunday 13.00 to 24.00;
  • Live music Monday to Friday  17.00 to 24.00, Saturday 14.00 to 24.00 and Sunday  18.00 to 24.00;
  • Facilities for dancing Monday to Sunday 10.00 to 23.00.

Objections had been received from 8 interested parties.

(b)       Presentation of the Applicant’s Case

The applicant, Rachael Loukes, said that they would not sell alcohol in the restaurant or the café but only at set functions as they were losing out on their events to raise funds. They would, off course, not sell any alcohol at children’s events or any combined events.

They would not hire out the premises for birthday parties or weddings.

They would like to sell alcohol in the intermissions of their theatre performances.

(c)        Questions from the Sub-Committee

Councillor Morgan asked if the whole premises was to be licensed and was told that they were.

Councillor Morgan then asked for clarification about where the main bar would be and was told that it would be situated just off the main dinning room. They would also sell alcohol in the theatre. This would be available for corporate events that are held there, sometime during the day and also in the evenings.

Councillor Morgan then asked if the residents could access the bar and buy alcohol. He was told that they live at the side of the building and would only be able to buy alcohol at any specific events that they were invited to.

Councillor Gadsby wanted to know if the bar would be open every day. She was told that it would only be open for specific events.

Councillor Boyce said he thought there was a school hall in the curtilage; would this be accessible from the areas selling alcohol? Ms Loukes replied that it would not be and neither would the general public have access to these areas. The café would only sell soft drinks.

Councillor Gadsby asked who would be running the bar area and was told that it would be a Hazel Scott, their licence holder.

(d)       Questions from the Objector

The objector Mr Graves said that the applicant had  ...  view the full minutes text for item 54.